Campaigners › Strategists
Li Zuoche
Zhao strategist, Lord of Guangwu, whose ignored plan at Jingxing later won him Han Xin's respect as an adviser.
Inside a tent at dusk, a low table holds a board of faint map-like lines with scattered black and white stones beside a feather fan, a lit lantern, an iron teapot and rolled bamboo slips, while one person sits with their back turned at the open flap, facing a river valley at sunset.
Also known as Lord of Guangwu
- Roles
- Strategists
Li Zuoche, traditionally said to be a grandson of the great Zhao general Li Mu, served as strategist to King Xie of Zhao and Chen Yu with the title Lord of Guangwu. When Han Xin and Zhang Er invaded Zhao in 204 BCE he urged Chen Yu to cut the Han supply line and hold strong defences, but was overruled, and Zhao was crushed at Jingxing. Han Xin had him taken alive, treated him as a teacher and asked how to win Yan and Qi; Li advised resting the troops and leading with a show of strength before sending envoys, and Yan submitted. He is a key figure in the Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; active c. 204 BCE